Electric forklift units make up nearly 60 percent of the lift truck market. These units get their power from big, heavy lead-acid batteries that that prevents the equipment from tipping over because it acts as the counterweight.
The ITA states that electric counterbalanced forklifts are considered Class 1 lift trucks. The category of Class1 also encompasses stand-up counterbalanced forklifts as well as other electric trucks that are made for general application. Although the first investment when you buy an electric lift truck is more as opposed to an internal combustion or IC forklift, electric forklifts are less expensive to run and operate in the long-run. This is due to lesser fuel and maintenance expenses, in comparison to the internal combustion or IC models.
Most of the electric rider lift trucks shipped in North America is made for moving material inside. They are commonly utilized in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric units are the right alternative for inside applications due to their ability to make less noise and emit zero toxic emissions.
The battery of an electric forklift can operate on average for 8 hours or for a single shift. The reloading, recharging and removing batteries that weigh upwards of 3000 pounds could be difficult and time consuming. This burdensome job often requires a dedicated space for battery handling. Nonetheless, new fast charging technologies are being used to change the procedure and update this process to be able to accomplish it in a a lot quicker way.
This fast charging technology is considered to be better charging technology. It has revolutionized electric unit forklifts and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The experts of the material handling industry, state that these new developments in the battery charging systems and battery technology can reduce charging time by as much as 50%!
IC Counterbalanced Forklifts
IC forklifts depend on a range of different types of fuels, like LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas and gasoline. The bigger lift trucks are commonly utilized outside. Usually, these units operate on diesel or gas and uses pneumatic or air-filled tires in order to make them suitable for rough environment and steep slopes, compared to cushion tires. Cushion tires are better suited for smooth services and indoor applications because they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG model is the most popular fuel option for indoor trucks. Today, there are more than 600,000 propane-filled forklifts working all over the world. These models offer a huge range of benefits. For example, propane-fueled forklifts maintain 100% constant power during operation. As well, these units offer faster ground speeds as opposed to other power sources.